NET NEWS
Wayne KO4OJC reported 14 WinLink check-ins and 17 voice check-ins for
the Pamlico Emergency/Communications Net last Wednesday, January 14th.
There were two check-ins via Echolink, Paul KM4PA from Brevard and Bill
K2TNO from Greensboro. Interesting reports and discussion on the day’s
Verizon cell outage. It was spotty here, apparently impacting iOS users
more than Android. THIS COMING WEDNESDAY after check-in, we ask all that
can to CHANGE OVER to the KO4OJC FM/C4FM/WIRES-X Baird Creek (146.31MHz,
neg offset, CTCSS 131.8) repeater and await a call ON FM. It’s the
current back up to the Oriental repeater. Afterwards, we will return to
the Oriental repeater to close out the net.
Monday night C4FM Net: On the 12th, nine folks participated in the
weekly roundtable hosted by KO4OJC: AC2GR, KR4LO, K1AUG, AI4WL, W4WKS,
KR4ABZ, KM4PA and KR4CYB. Paul and Jim logged in via Wires-X. For local
users via RF it’s on 146.310MHz and remote users via Wires-X room
“KO4OJC-Room 3” (ID 64163).
BIT BUCKET
–NEW 60-Meter Frequencies: “The new 60-meter frequencies approved by
the FCC in December will become available to amateurs as of February 13,
2026, along with new power restrictions on those frequencies. It’s a bit
confusing, as different rules apply to different segments of the band.”
Extracted from The ARRL Letter for January 15, 2026. For more info go to
arrl.org/news
–New GMRS Repeater under test: Wayne KO4OJC, Bill KR4LO and Mike K4NLC
have activated another GMRS repeater; this one at Mike’s home at the
intersection of Truitt and Walker Roads, just over the line in Craven
County. It’s on 462.55 MHz, positive offset (467.55). The antenna is
only up about 35 ft. yet has been heard 5 miles away. Reports to Wayne,
Bill, or Mike welcomed.
SOLAR NUMBERS TODAY
NOAA reports that solar activity was high during the 24 hour period
ending yesterday at 4 p.m. local. The Space Weather Prediction Center
expects solar activity to be moderate with a slight 20% chance for
X-class flares today, Tuesday and Wednesday. However, the SWPC at 7 a.m.
this morning predicted SPACE WEATHER to be “SEVERE” for the next 24
hours. Radio blackouts reaching the R2 level are likely, geomagnetic
storms to the G4 level.
There are 8 numbered sunspot regions on the Sun facing Earth this
morning. There were 5 last Monday, 7 the Monday before.
Sunday’s noon Solar Flux Index (SFI) observation at Penticton was 148,
last Sunday’s was 111. The index is predicted to measure 160 today, 165
Tuesday and 170 on Wednesday. The more important SFI 90 day trailing
average was 146 yesterday. It was 147 last Sunday.
The geomagnetic field was was quiet to active yesterday. The SWPC
expects the field be usettled to active today; be quiet to active on
Tuesday and then quiet to unsettled Wednesday. The planetary K-index at
7 a.m. this morning was 1.00 indicating very quiet conditions.
Current conditions: Fair during the day on 80 and 40 Meters, good at
night; good day and night on 30 & 20; good day and night 17 & 15; fair
day, poor at night on 12 and 10. As always, we recommend you go to
https://www.n4prs.org/looking-up/ for the latest observations.
DX THIS WEEK–
Extracted from ARRL’s ARLD002 DX NEWS and DXWorld.net:
–DESECHEO ISLAND, KP5. A group of operators are QRV using remote
control as KP5/NP3VI until February 14. Activity is on 160 through 10
meters using CW, SSB, and FT8.
–SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS, LZ0. Ivo, LZ1AAW, is QRV LZ0A from station
St. Kliment Ohridski on Livingston Island, IOTA AN-010, until
mid-February 2026. Activity will be in his spare time.
–SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS. Gabriel, LU1WGB, is QRV as LU1WGB/Z from the
Joint Antarctic Base Orcadas on Laurie Island, IOTA AN-008, until
February 22. Activity is in his spare time on the HF bands using FT8.
QSL to home call.
HAM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE, TRADE, OR WANTED
Send me your amateur radio related items that are for sale, trade, or
wanted and your contact information. PLEASE let me know when you have
have sold your item or if your listing is no longer needed. Listings
will EXPIRE AFTER 60 DAYS unless I hear otherwise. Thanks, Jim.
FOR SALE: SWR/wattmeters: MFJ-868 Giant SWR/Wattmeter, 20/200/2,000
watt ranges, 1.8 – 30 MHz, $150. Mirage MP2 VHF SWR/wattmeter,
50/500/1500 watt ranges, 50 – 200 MHz, $125. Bill Michne, WM3X,
252-671-6703, drmichne73@gmail.com. (20251208)
PARS CALENDAR:
* Jan 31, PARS MONTHLY MEETING, Saturday, 9am, Brantley’s Village
Restaurant, Oriental. For more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC,
252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
* Feb 7, PAMLICO COMMUNICATIONS TEAM (PCT) MEETING, Saturday, 9-10:30am,
Oriental VFD Station 19 on Straight Rd vic. NC-55. All are welcome. For
more info, contact Bruce Perkins, K4ONC, 252-626-2730 or K4ONC@aol.com
REPEATER/NODE/BEACON STATUS
(See www.n4prs.org/frequencies/ for set-up)
N4ONC FM Oriental (147.210MHz+ CTCSS 88.5Hz) — Operational
GMRS Repeater Oriental (Ch 21, Rptr 7 or 462.700MHz+) — Operational
NC4ES DMR Arapahoe (NC4ES Network)(147.285MHz+ CC1) — Operational
NC4ES FM Arapahoe (147.285MHz+ CTCSS ENC 88.5Hz/DEC 100Hz) — Standby
NC4ES DMR Florence (NC4ES Network)(445.6625MHZ- CC1) — Operational
WM3X-ONC C4FM/WIRES-X NODE Oriental (145.530MHz smplx) — Operational
KO40JC FM/C4FM/WIRES-X Baird Creek (146.310MHz- CTCSS 131.8) — Operational.
Cedar Isl Mark’s Beacons: K4FWS/b FM14ux 144.282 CW; K1MAP/b FM14ux
222.055 CW; K1MAP/b FM14ux 432.305 CW (Very low power for rcvr,
propagation tests)
LOCAL NETS OF INTEREST TO PARS MEMBERS:
* Mondays, “Wayne’s World C4FM Net”, 7:30 pm local, using the C4FM
digital mode on the KO40JC FM/C4FM/WIRES-X repeater, Baird Creek
(146.310MHz). Those outside RF range may join via Wires-X room
“KO4OJC-Room 3″ (DTMF ID 64163). This is a round-table open to all.
Discussions vary with member interest. Radio topics/questions/issues
welcomed.
* Wednesdays,”Pamlico Communications Net”, 7:30 pm local, N4ONC
(Oriental) VHF Repeater, 147.210+ (CTSCC Tone Squelch 88.5). A directed
net open to all. Net activates on call during emergencies.
* Thursdays, “DownEast/Pamlico Six Meter Net”, 8 pm local, 50.200 MHz,
USB. A non-directed open net to promote operation on the ‘Magic Band’.
** (For more nets see www.arrl.org/arrl-net-directory-search)
PARS WEBSITE: https://www.n4prs.org/
Our Web Master is Paul Jodoin, K4MMB, PARSwebman@gmail.com
73, Jim AI4WL Editor
——–
This email is sent to members and friends of the Pamlico Amateur Radio
Society. We are pleased that you asked to receive our weekly newsletter
and hope that you enjoy reading it. This and previous PARSgrams are
archived on the PARS Website. If you no longer wish to receive the
PARSgram please let us know by reply email or to pamlicoham@pamlico.net.